• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.11
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• pp.808-813
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• 2008

Human microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a membrane associated protein that catalyzes the conversion of prostaglandin $H_2$ ($PGH_2$) into prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). In this study, the expression of human mPGES-1 in E. coli was significantly enhanced by modifying the utility of specific codons and the recombinant mPGES-1 was efficiently purified to homogeneity. The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ of the purified enzyme were determined and the trimeric state characterized by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The purified mPGES-1 was used for the screening of a chemical library of bioactive or drug compounds to identify novel inhibitors, and oxacillin and dyphylline were identified as moderately inhibiting mPGES-1 with $I_{C50}$ values of 100 and 200 ${\mu}M$, respectively. As these compounds competitively inhibited the catalysis of $PGH_2$, their binding sites appeared to be located near the $PGH_2$ binding pocket.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.222-227
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• 2002

Squalene synthase catalyzes the reductive dimerization of two molecules of farnesyl diphosphate to form squalene at the final branch point of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. Due to the unique position of this enzyme in the pathway, its inhibitors may have advantages as antihypercholesterolemic agents. Therefore, selective inhibitors of squalene synthase do not prevent the formation of the essential branch products of the isoprene pathway, such as dolichol, coenzyme-Q, and prenylated proteins, as might be expected for inhibitors of enzymes earlier in the pathway; for example, lovastatin and mevalotin. The current study reports that CJ90002, a pentagalloylglucose isolated from Paeonia moutan SIM (Paeoniaceae), which is an important Chinese crude drug used in many traditional prescriptions, was a potent inhibitor of rat microsomal squalene synthase, and also a potent inhibitor of cholesterol biosynthesis in vitro. In addition, the intraperitoneal and oral administration of CJ90002 had a significant lowering effect on plasma cholesterol levels in hamsters.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 1967

The present investigation was initially undertaken to see if there exists $Na^+-K^+$ activated ATPase in the microsome fraction of the kidney. Having confirmed the presence of such an enzyme, further attempts have been made to characterize its nature and the following conclusions were obtained: (1) The ATPase activity was greatest at the $Na^+$ concentration of 100 mM as well as at $K^+$ concentration of 10 mM. Moreover, the ATPase activity was found to be depressed by $Ca^{++}$ in the presence of $Mg^{++}$. (2) While the ATPase activity was depressed by Ouabain, the magnitude of inhibition was greater in the Na medium than in the K medium. (3) NaCN augmented the ATPase activity whereas NaF and IAA depressed it. On the other hand, DNP had little influence on the ATPase activity. (4) Diamox, vasopressin and aldosterone had no effect while $HgCl_2$ markedly depressed the ATPase activity These findings indicate that the nature of ATPase isolated from the microsome fraction of the rabbit kidney is quite similar to that from other organs such as the heart and the muscle, although there are certain features specific to the type of organs.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.280-285
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• 1997

Pectenotoxin 2 (PTX2), isolated from marine sponges, was examined for its hepatotoxic potential using male ICR mice. PTX2 $(20\;or\;100\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ was administered to mice repeatedly for one or two week. Histopathological examination revealed an increase in granularity in the liver from the mice treated with PTX2. PTX2 did not alter the parameters for hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity such as sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Cytochrome P-450, cytochrome $b_5$, or NADPH cytochrome c reductase was net changed by repeated administration of PTX2. Hepatic microsomal activity of p-nitroanisole O-demethylase, but not aminopyrine N-demethylase, was slightly depressed by PTX2 administerd repeatedly $(100\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ fur 2 weeks. The toxicity of PTX2 $(200\;{\mu}g/kg/day,\;ip)$ was determined in mice pretreated with a metabolic inducer or inhibitor such as phenobarbital, 3-methyl-cholanthrene, $CoCl_2$, or SKF 525-A. Significant alterations in lethality and hepatotoxicity of PTX2 were observed in mice pretreated with a metabolic modulator. The results suggest that liver seems to be the target organ for PTX2 toxicity and also that induction of the PTX2 toxicity may be associated with hepatic drug metabolizing activity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1996

Capsaicin(CAP) is a pungent ingredient of hot pepper that has been used as a spicy food additive, pre-servative, and medicine. In this study, the effect of CAP on L-ascorbic acid(AsA)level in various tissues as well as its urinary excretion. and drug-metabolizing enzyme activity in rats were investigated. Rats fed AsA-deficient diets for 17days were injected intraperitoneally with 1mg of CAP in 0.5ml of ethanol-Tween 80-saline(20 :10 : 70, v/v/v). Control rats received the equal volume of the same solution without CAP. Urine was collected for 3 day after the CAP injection, and after 5 days tissues were removed; their AsA contents were measured by high performance liquid chromatography combined with and electrochemical detector. In addition, hepatic microsomal ethoxyresorfin O-deethylase(EROD) activity as measured. Urinary AsA excretion changed significantly following CAP injection. One and two days after CAP injection, the urinary AsA increased 2-and 3-fold in the CAP injected group, compared to the control, but the contents of adrenal glands and brain were lower than those of the control Dehydroascorbic acid contents in adrenal glands of the CAP injected group were higher than that of the control These results suggested that a single large dose of CAP could temporarily cause the redistribution of AsA in tissues accompanying by its urinary excretion, by affecting probably a biological system including mixed function oxygenase system(MFOS)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.116-126
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• 1993

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of seleniumc (Se) and vitamin E on activity of enzyme relevant to lipid peroxidation in alcohol administrated rats. Seventy two male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 58~62g were divided into 12groups. The dietary Se levels were 0, 0.4 and 10mg and the dietary vitamin E levels were 0 and 150mg per kg diet, respectively. Alcohol-administrated groups received drinking water solution containing 10% of ethanol from the 3-weeks of experimental periods. The obtained experimental results are summarized as follow: The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity in plasma was higher in alcohol administrated groups and high selenium group (HSe) and low selenium group (LSe) than in control groups (CSe). The ${\gamma}$-GOT and GPT activities were higher in alcohol groups. The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity was significantly influenced by alcohol in LSe groups than in other groups. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of plasma was significantly lower in LSe groups than HSe and CSe groups. The GSH-Px activity of microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly lower in alcohol groups and was about a half value lower in HSe and LSe groups than CSe groups. There was negative correlation between plasma Se level and GSH-Px activity of cytosolic fraction in HSe groups (r=- 0.662, p<0.001) and positive correlation in LSe groups (r=0.640, p<0.001). The GSH S-transferase activity in microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly higher in alcohol administrated but vitamin E nonadministrated groups, and significantly higher in LSe groups than in other groups. The catalase activity in mitochondria was lower in HSe than CSe groups, but rather higher in LSe groups. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in cytosolic fraction of liver was not found any effect in all groups. The cytochrome P-450 was higher in alcohol groups, but significantly lower in HSe groups. In conclusion, the deficiency of Se and vitamin E develops the hyperoxidation of liver lipid through the increase of activity of enzyme related to the lipid peroxidation and alcohol administration appears to further increase of hyperoxidation of liver lipid.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.293-300
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• 1998

Previous studies have shown that the heterocycles including thiazoles are efficacious in inducing phase phase II metabolizing enzyme as well as certain cytochrome P450s and that the inductin of these matabolizing enzymes by the heterocyclic agents is highly associated with their hepatotoxicity. In the present study, the effects of benzylisothiazole (BIT), which has a isothiazole moiety, on the expression of microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEH), major glutathione S-transerases and cytochrome P450s were studied in the rat liver in association with its hepatotoxicity. Treatment of rats with BIT(1.17 mmol/kg, 1~3d) resulted in substantial increases in the mEH. rGSTA2, rGSTA2, rGSTM1 and rGSTM2 mRNA levels, whereas rGSTA3 and rGSTA5 mRNA levels were increased to much lesser extents. A time-course study showed that the mRNA levels of mEH and rGSTs were greater at 24hr after treatment than those after 3 days of consecutive treatment. Relative changes in mEH and rGST mRNA levels were consistent with those in the proteins, as assessed by Western immunoblot analysis. Hepatic cytochrom P450 levels were monitored after BIT treatment under the assumption that metabolic activation of BIT may affect expression of the enzymes in conjunction with hepatotoxicity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that cytochrome P450 2B1/2 were 3-to 4-fold induced in rats teatd with BIT(1.17 mmol/kg/day.3days), whereas P450 1A2, 2C11 and 3A1/2 levels were decreased to 20~30% of those in unteatd rats. P450 2E1 was only slightly decreased by BIT. Thus, the levels of several cytochrome P450s were suppressed by BIT treatment. Rats treated with BIT at the dose of 1.17mmol/kg for 3 days exhibited extensive multifocal nodular necrosis with moderate to extensive diffuse liver cell degeneration. No notable toxicity was observed in the kidney. These results showed that BIT induces mEH and rGSTs in the liver with increases in the mRNA levels, whereas the agent significantly decreased major cytochrome P450s. The changes in the detoxifying enzymes might be associated with the necrotic liver after consecutive treatment.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.414-420
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• 1998

We studied the difference effects of dietary ${\alpha}-linolenic\;acid\;({\alpha}-LA,\;18:3\;n-3)$, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) on the lowering of triacylglycerol in the liver and serum on lipid metabolism in rats. Rats were fed semipurified diets containing 10% fat with constant polyunsaturated/monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids (1:1:1) and n-6/n-3 ratio (1:2). EPA (98%) and DHA (98%) were added in diets as the ethyl esters. The concentration of liver triacylglycerol was significantly lower in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. The concentration of liver phospholipid was significantly higher in rats fed DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$ and EPA. Both EPA and DHA reduced serum triacylglycerol concentration compared with ${\alpha}-LA$, but this effect was more pronounced in the EPA diet. The activity of phophatidate phosphohydrolase in the liver microsome was significantly lower in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. but, there was no significant difference on the activities of diacylglycerol acyltransferase among the three groups. The concentration of liver triacylglycerol were correlated with changes in the microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity (r=0.84). Hepatic NADPH generating enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was more effective to reduce the activity in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. In conclusion, EPA or DHA reduced the hepatic triacylglycerol concentration by inhibiting microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, thereby inhibiting synthesis of triacylglycerol in the liver.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2003

This study was conducted to understand the role of oxidative enzyme cytochrome $P_{450}$ in the bioactivation of benfuracarb and to know metabolites of benfuracarb by cytochrome $P_{450}$. The bimolecular imhibition rate constant $(k_i)$ of benfuracarb on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was as low as $1.1{\times}10^3\;M^{-1}\;min^{-1}$, suggesting that benfuracarb should be activated for its toxic action. The potency of benfuracarb on AChE in the oxidase system (cytochrome $P_{450}$ + NADPH) in vitro was 10-fold higher than that of control (cytochrome $P_{450}$). Such a similar result was also found in the oxidase + PBO system. In vivo the $I_{50}$ of benfuracarb was 22.7mg $kg^{-1}$, but pie-treatment of piperonyl butoxide (PBO) reduced the $I_{50}$ by >100mg $kg^{-1}$. This result suggests that cytochrome $P_{450}$ was involved in the activation of benfuracarb. Using microsomal oxidase system, metabolites of benfuracarb were elucidated. Fifty-eight percent of benfuracarb was converted to carbofuran, a major toxic metabolite, in the oxidase system, while only less than two percent of benfuracarb was converted to carbofuran in the oxidase + PBO system. These results also suggest that cytochrome $P_{450}$ was involved in the activation of benfuracarb. Overall results indicate that cytochrome $P_{450}$ could be involved in the bioactivation of benfuracarb to carbofuran.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 1990

Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed the diet of p/s 4.0(soybean oil : I), p/s 0.08(Beef tallow : II) at the level of 15% fat until 8 weeks after weaning. I & II groups were divided into 4 sub-groups by diets with or without 0.3% butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT). 2-AAF was injected at the age of $5_{1/2}$, 6, $5_{1/2}$, 7 weeks. MFO system enzyme(cytochrome p-450, cytochrome p-450 reductase, cytochrome b5) activities and lipid peroxide were determined from isolated liver microsome. 2-AAF injected young rats had growth retardatiion. Lipid peroxide values were not influenced greatly by dietary fat, 2-AAF and BHT. Cytochrome p-450 contents were increased in I-BHT-AAF & II-AAF groups by 2-AAF and its contents were not affected by BHT. But cytochrome p-450 and cytochrome p-450 reductase were not increased in soybean oil diet ybean oil groups. Cytochrome b5 was not influenced by dietary fat, 2-AAF and BHT. Cytochrome p-450 and lipid peroxide, cytochrome p-450 reductase and cytochrome b5, which transfer to MFO system, appeared to have positive correlations(r=0.2474, r=0.2475, p<0.05) each other. This result suggests that MFO system metabolizing 2-AAF was influenced by dietary fats and BHT. 2-AAF induced growth retardation in young rats.